Adjustable commode



July 29, 1969 J. HARBEKE r 3,457,571

ADJUSTABLE COMMODE Filed Dec. 12, 1967 INVENTOR GEROLD J. H ARBEKE U ited States Patent 3,457,571 ADJUSTABLE COMMODE Gerold J. Harbeke, West Palm Beach, Fla. (4460 Carver St., Lake Worth, Fla. 33460) Filed Dec. 12, 1967, Ser. No. 689,976 Int. Cl. A47k 13/00; F161 55/00; E03d 11/00 US. Cl. 4-253 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An adjustable commode including adapter inserts to adjust the discharge opening of the commode for connection with a discharge stub out variably spaced from the point where the water closet is positioned.

The present invention relates to improvements in adjustable commodes and is concerned more particularly with commodes including adapter inserts to adjust the discharge opening of the commode for connection with a discharge stub out variably spaced from the point where the water closet is positioned.

Until the advent of the present invention, it has been necessary in the plumbing industry to stock a supply of commodes having discharge openings which are at various distances from the point where the water closet is hung. Such distances are usually figured in the trade as 10, 11, 13 or 14 inches and the plumbing supply houses must carry stocks of complete commodes with these discharge openings, necessitating large inventories of commodes.

It is the principal object of the present invention to eliminate the need for such large inventories by providing standard commodes having relatively enlarged commonly positioned discharge openings and inserts for reception in such openings, such inserts having varied discharge apertures or horns to adapt the standard commode for operative connection with the particular stub out or waste conduit.

A further object of the invention is to provide such commodes with symmetrical discharge openings, rectangular for example, and similarly shaped inserts with offset discharge apertures or horns so that the inserts may be reversed, for example, the same insert to adapt the commode for connection with a 10 or 14 inch stub out and another to adapt the commode for connection with a 11 or 13 inch stub out depending upon which end of the insert is foremost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel construction which enables plumbing supply establishments to stock same commodes, the only stock of variables being the inserts which are relatively inexpensive and which may be stacked or nested to occupy but a minimum of space.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed explanation taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the principles of the invention has been selected for exemplification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of an adjustable commode showing the base discharge opening and adapter insert constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional upside down view of the base and insert taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged bottom plan view of one of the adapter inserts;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing another of the adapter inserts;

FIG. is an end view of FIGS. 3 and 4 but showing the adapter insert in upside down position as in FIG. 1, their end view appearance being the same; and

3,457,571 Patented July 29, 1969 ice FIG. 6 is a side view of FIG. 3, similar to FIG. 5, it being understood that the side view appearance of FIG. 4 is the same except for the position of the discharge aperture or horn.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, the commode indicated in its entirety at 10 in FIG. 1 has a base portion 12 to support the commode in upright position upon a floor or the like.

A relatively enlarged or elongated commode discharge opening 14 is provided centrally of a portion of the base 12, such discharge opening being symmetrical, preferably rectangular, as shown. The walls of the discharge opening or aperture 14 are outwardly flared and are grooved, preferably continuously, as shown at 1-6 in FIG. 2. Parallel slots 18 at opposed sides of the discharge opening 14 are for the reception of bolts or the like, slidable in the slots to secure the commode to the floor or other suport in appropriate adjusted position.

Inserts to be selectively fitted in the commode discharge opening 14 to adapt the commode for connection to waste conduits or stub outs of varied distance are shown in their entireties, in plan, end and side views at 20 and 22, in FIGS. 3-6, and, in section, in fitted secured position, in FIG. 2. The side and end walls 24 of the inserts 20 and 22 are beveled at an angle complementary to the walls of the discharge opening 14 and are provided with a grooved portion 26, opposed to the grooved portion 16, when the inserts are positioned in the discharge opening 14. The grooved portions 16 and 2-6 are for the purpose of receiving cement, or other appropriate waterproof adhesive material, permanently to secure the selected insert in the discharge opening 14.

The discharge apertures or horns 21 of the insert plates 20* and 22 are offset from the transverse center of the inserts. In the preferred commercial form of the invention, as shown in FIG. 4, such horns 21 are one inch from such center to accommodate an 11 or 13 inch stub out, depending upon which end of the insert 22 is foremost of the commode, and, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, such horns 21 are two inches from such center to accommodate a 10 or 14 inch stub out, depending upon which end of the insert 20 is foremost of the commode. It will be understood that where a 12 inch or other intermediate stub out is to be accommodated, an insert with a central horn may be provided, if necessary.

In the assembly of the structure in accordance with this invention, a measurement is made as to the approximate distance of the stub out from the point where the commode is to be positioned and the appropriate reversible insert is selected to fit the discharge born 21 into the waste conduit, not shown, and such insert is then cemented in the discharge opening 14 of the commode base 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for permanent installation and operation of the commode 10.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not confined to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein described and illustrated but contemplates all such modifications thereof as may come within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A commode adjustable for connection to selected spaced discharge stub outs which comprises:

a discharge opening for said commode, and

an insert for said discharge opening,

said insert having a centrally offset discharge aperture to accommodate said commode for connection to a selected discharge stub out.

2. The commode of claim 1 wherein the discharge opening of the commode is relatively enlarged and the insert is shaped to fit such enlarged opening and has an offset discharge aperture so that the insert may be reversibly fitted in said discharge opening.

3. The commode of claim 1 wherein the discharge opening of the commode and the insert have mating side walls additionally including means for securing said side walls together.

4. The commode of claim 1 wherein the discharge opening of the commode and the insert have mating side walls and said mating side walls have mating grooved portions for receiving adhesive means to secure said commode and insert together.

5. The commode of claim 2 wherein the discharge opening of the commode is of elongated rectangular configuration and the insert is of elongated rectangular configuration mating with said discharge opening and the discharge aperture of said insert is offset reversibly to be received in said discharge opening.

6. The commode of claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of inserts having differently positioned discharge apertures adapted to be selectively received in said commode discharge opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/ 1954 Gordon 4252 FOREIGN PATENTS 807,999 10/1936 France.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner H. J. GROSS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

